Escaping the Colonial Trap of “Autonomy” - Significance, history and which better visions are possible with Prof. Christina Ponsa-Kraus | Mano a Mano
Has Puerto Rico been trapped in a colonial status under the guise of local "autonomy"? Why is Puerto Rico still called a "Commonwealth" when it's actually a U.S. territory under colonial rule? In this episode of the Mano a Mano podcast, host George Laws Garcia sits down with Columbia Law Professor Christina Ponsa-Kraus to explore both the constitutional reality of Puerto Rico's status and the fascinating history of Puerto Rican autonomism that today's politicians have completely misrepresented.Professor Ponsa-Kraus, who helped draft the Puerto Rico Status Act that passed the House in 2022, reveals how self-proclaimed "autonomist" politicians like Resident Commissioner Pablo José Hernández have misinterpreted 19th-century ideology end ended up promoting the exact opposite of what the original autonomists wanted. We explore how some of the autonomist leaders - like Federico Degetau González and José Celso Barbosa - actually embraced American statehood as the fulfillment of their goals for genuine self-government, not as a threat to Puerto Rican identity.This deep-dive conversation exposes how "Commonwealth" is essentially a misleading label for what is legally a territory subject to Congress's absolute plenary power, while tracing the historical roots of autonomism back to Spanish colonial rule and revealing why early autonomists saw American federalism as "maximum decentralization within national unity." We weave history, constitutional law, and current politics to highlight a compelling vision of how Puerto Rico and the U.S. can exit the trap of territorial colonialism, and open a new chapter of our relationship based on mutual respect, self-determination and shared democratic values. In this episode:The true history of Puerto Rican autonomism and why many of its leaders originally supported statehoodWhy Puerto Rico's "Commonwealth" status is still territorial colonialism under constitutional lawHow today's "autonomist" politicians have misappropriated historical terminologyThe difference between real autonomy (statehood/independence) and fake autonomy (commonwealth)How Congress's plenary power keeps Puerto Rico subordinate and powerlessWhy the Puerto Rico Status Act excluded the current territory status from decolonization optionsThe recent firing of Fiscal Oversight Board members and what it reveals about democratic deficitsHow statehood would actually protect Puerto Rican culture through political empowermentTimestamps: 00:00 Introduction & Christina's Constitutional Law Expertise 06:30 Why Puerto Rico is Missing from American Education 12:45 The Puerto Rico Status Act & Congressional Collaboration Process 22:15 What is Puerto Rico's "Commonwealth" Status Really? 31:20 Why Commonwealth Was Excluded from Decolonization Options 40:19 The Real History of 19th Century Puerto Rican Autonomism 44:08 How Historical Autonomists Embraced American Statehood 48:20 Modern "Autonomism" vs. Historical Autonomist Goals 52:30 The Fiscal Oversight Board Crisis & Democratic Deficits 56:37 Why Statehood Provides Better Autonomy Than "Commonwealth" 01:03:24 Cultural Preservation Through Political Empowerment 01:08:45 Debunking the "Loss of Culture" Myth 01:10:29 Recommendations for Advancing Puerto Rico Statehood🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into Puerto Rico's true history and path to equality.👉 Read Prof. Christina Ponsa-Kraus’s chapter, “When Statehood Was Autonomy,” in Reconsidering the Insular Cases(Harvard University Press / Harvard Law School Human Rights Program).Read the chapter here: https://www.law.columbia.edu/sites/default/files/2020-09/When%20Statehood%20Was%20Autonomy_0.pdf#PuertoRico #Autonomism #PuertoRicoStatehood #ChristinaPonsaKraus #ManoaManoPodcast #PuertoRicanHistory #Decolonization #Commonwealth #ConstitutionalLaw #PabloJoseHernandez #Colony #Territory #PlenaryPower
Watch episodes of Mano a Mano on YouTube @PuertoRico51st.Interested in learning more about the statehood movement? Visit our Website: https://www.pr51st.comSign-up for Email Updates: http://www.pr51st.com/take-action/sign-up/Follow us on: Facebook - @PR51stTwitter - @PuertoRico51stInstagram - @PR51st Produced by Caandor Labs.
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Puerto Rico's Energy Crisis | Understanding why Territory Status Blocks Recovery | Mano a Mano Episode 18
Why is Puerto Rico's energy system still struggling 7 years after Hurricane Maria, and how does territorial status make everything worse? In this episode of the Mano a Mano podcast, host George Laws Garcia sits down with Tom King, founder of the Borincana Foundation and Puerto Rico Energy Forum, to break down the island's complex energy crisis.They explore the ongoing PREPA debt bankruptcy that's blocking billions in federal recovery funds, the reality behind Puerto Rico's energy privatization efforts, and why distributed solar has become both a solution and new challenge for the grid. Tom shares expert insights on fossil fuels and renewables are not mutually exclusive but are both needed to complement each other as Puerto Rico advances its energy transformation process, the recent Sunnova bankruptcy affecting thousands of Puerto Rican solar customers, and how property title issues still limit energy financing.Most importantly, they discuss why Puerto Rico's territorial status creates systemic barriers to reliable energy and economic development - from limited access to capital markets to population decline that reduces the customer base needed to support grid investments.In this episode:Why PREPA's debt crisis is blocking $12-19 billion in federal reconstruction fundsThe truth about Puerto Rico's energy "privatization"How 115,000 homes got solar despite grid challengesWhy Sunnova's bankruptcy is challenging Puerto Rico's solar boomProperty title problems blocking energy financingHow territorial status infantilizes Puerto Rico's developmentWhy statehood would help solve systemic energy investment barriersTimestamps:00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction01:40 Tom King's Background and Involvement in Puerto Rico's Energy Sector05:22 Current State of Puerto Rico's Energy System06:49 Challenges and Controversies in Energy Privatization10:38 Financial and Infrastructure Hurdles15:05 Debate on Fuel Sources and Renewable Energy23:07 Impact of Renewable Energy on the Grid28:39 Population Decline and Political Status30:49 Challenges of Puerto Rico's Energy System31:16 The Impact of Puerto Rico's Territorial Status32:02 Energy Costs and Stability in Puerto Rico35:12 Property Title Issues and Economic Impact38:24 Sunnova's Bankruptcy and Its Implications44:54 Future of Puerto Rico's Energy Sector53:37 Resources and Initiatives for Energy Development🔔 Subscribe for weekly deep-dives into Puerto Rico's path to decolonization and statehood.#PuertoRico #EnergyPolicy #PuertoRicoStatehood #Decolonization #PREPA #LUMAEnergy #SolarPower #TerritoryStatus #ManoAManoPodcast #PuertoRicoGrid
Watch episodes of Mano a Mano on YouTube @PuertoRico51st.Interested in learning more about the statehood movement? Visit our Website: https://www.pr51st.comSign-up for Email Updates: http://www.pr51st.com/take-action/sign-up/Follow us on: Facebook - @PR51stTwitter - @PuertoRico51stInstagram - @PR51st Produced by Caandor Labs.
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Iran Strikes Reveal Inequality and Puerto Rico's Hurricane Crisis joins the Congressional Budget Battle
How does Puerto Rico's territorial status affect hurricane preparedness, military service, and Congressional representation during critical national moments? In this episode of the Mano a Mano podcast, hosts George Laws Garcia and Martin Rivera examine the 2025 hurricane season preparations, recent U.S. airstrikes in Iran, and what these events reveal about Puerto Rico's unequal status.They discuss the ongoing Congressional budget reconciliation process, threats to Puerto Rico's Opportunity Zone designations, and how territorial inequality impacts disaster response and military representation. The hosts also cover the UN Committee on Decolonization hearings and analyze the surprising NYC mayoral primary results that highlight Puerto Rican voting power stateside.In this episode:2025 hurricane season predictions and Puerto Rico's preparedness challengesHow territorial status affects disaster response and federal representationU.S. airstrikes in Iran and Puerto Rican military service without voting rightsCongressional budget reconciliation updates affecting Puerto RicoOpportunity Zones under threat in tax legislationUN Decolonization Committee: Annual theater or meaningful action?NYC mayoral primary upset and Puerto Rican voter influenceAOC's endorsement strategy and implications for statehood advocacy
Watch episodes of Mano a Mano on YouTube @PuertoRico51st.Interested in learning more about the statehood movement? Visit our Website: https://www.pr51st.comSign-up for Email Updates: http://www.pr51st.com/take-action/sign-up/Follow us on: Facebook - @PR51stTwitter - @PuertoRico51stInstagram - @PR51st Produced by Caandor Labs.
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Puerto Rico’s Political Gridlock | Budget Reconciliation, The Jones Act & Puerto Rico’s Future
Why does Congress’s budget reconciliation bill matter for Puerto Rico’s health, economy and push for statehood? In this episode of the Mano a Mano Podcast, hosts George Laws Garcia and Martín Rivera of the Puerto Rico Statehood Council unpack how the 2025 reconciliation package could reshape Medicaid and nutritional assistance and other federal funding amid the expected nationwide federal funding cuts. They also discuss proposed tax incentives to increase local manufacturing, recent remarks from Puerto Rico’s Governor and Resident Commissioner on territorial status, Congressman Pablo José Hernández’s reluctance to recognize island voters’ desire for statehood (and his party-refounding plans), the truth about the Jones Act’s impact on shipping costs and food security, and why the Trump Administration might want to speak up about Puerto Rico’s path to statehood.In this episode:What healthcare and nutrition funding changes are on the table?Which tax incentives could attract new manufacturers?Why are Puerto Rico’s top elected leaders saying about political status?What is the debate on the Jones Act’s impact on Puerto Rico?Timestamps:00:00 Introduction & Episode Overview00:45 Budget Reconciliation Basics for Puerto Rico04:10 Impact on Healthcare & Nutrition Programs07:50 Tax Incentives & Manufacturing Proposals12:15 Political Status Debate: Governor & Resident Commissioner16:30 Congressman Hernández & Party Refoundation23:53 Mailbag: Listener Questions Answered24:19 What is the Jones Act’s impact on Puerto Rico?30:03 Trump Administration’s Statehood Signals28:50 Personal Reflections & Next Steps🔔 Subscribe for weekly deep-dives into Puerto Rico’s political and economic landscape.#PuertoRico #BudgetReconciliation #JonesAct #HealthcareReform #Statehood #ManoAManoPodcast
Watch episodes of Mano a Mano on YouTube @PuertoRico51st.Interested in learning more about the statehood movement? Visit our Website: https://www.pr51st.comSign-up for Email Updates: http://www.pr51st.com/take-action/sign-up/Follow us on: Facebook - @PR51stTwitter - @PuertoRico51stInstagram - @PR51st Produced by Caandor Labs.
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Episode 15 | Taxes and Tariffs | Simon Carlo Valentín on Puerto Rico Federal & Local Tax Policy
Why are Puerto Rico’s tax laws so misunderstood? In this episode of the Mano a Mano podcast, host George is joined by Simón Carlo Valentín - tax attorney and CPA - to break down the complexities of Puerto Rico’s tax system.They explore the truth about federal taxes in Puerto Rico, the impact of recent U.S. and local tax reforms, and how these policies shape the island’s economy and its push for statehood. Simon shares expert insights on tariffs, tax code misconceptions, and what fiscal policy changes may be needed for Puerto Rico to fully integrate with the United States.In this episode:Do Puerto Ricans pay federal taxes?How U.S. tariffs affect the islandLocal tax reform and economic developmentMyths vs. facts on Puerto Rico’s tax systemTax implications of Puerto Rico statehoodTimestamps:06:49 Federal Payroll Taxes and Inequities10:23 Puerto Rico's Contributions to Federal Taxes16:17 Impact of Tariffs on Puerto Rico20:55 Federal Tax Policy and Manufacturing Incentives25:05 Impact of Hurricane Maria on US Medical Supply Chain25:30 Proposed Manufacturing Redundancy Plan for National Security27:06 Economic Incentives and Tax Policies in Puerto Rico28:16 Disparities in Compensation and Intellectual Property Issues34:52 Local Tax Reform Efforts in Puerto Rico40:17 Act 60 and Its Implications for Statehood44:15 Vision for Puerto Rico's Statehood and Federal Tax Integration47:02 Community Engagement and Political Advocacy49:36 Conclusion and Call to Action🔔 Subscribe for more deep dives into Puerto Rico’s political and economic future.#PuertoRico #Taxes #PuertoRicoStatehood #SimonCarloValentin #TaxPolicy #ManoaManoPodcast #PuertoRicoEconomy #FederalTaxes
Watch episodes of Mano a Mano on YouTube @PuertoRico51st.Interested in learning more about the statehood movement? Visit our Website: https://www.pr51st.comSign-up for Email Updates: http://www.pr51st.com/take-action/sign-up/Follow us on: Facebook - @PR51stTwitter - @PuertoRico51stInstagram - @PR51st Produced by Caandor Labs.
About Mano a Mano: U.S. & Puerto Rico, Journey Toward A More Perfect Union
Welcome to Mano a Mano, a podcast amplifying the voices of leaders, thinkers, activists, and allies from across the political spectrum who support Puerto Rico’s fight for full democracy and self-determination. Join co-hosts George Laws-García and Martin Rivera as they dive into current events through the lens of U.S.-Puerto Rico relations and reveal how the Caribbean island’s political status can serve as a powerful vantage point for understanding some of the most fundamental questions facing America today.
Each month, Martin and George interview key voices to bridge divides, offer in-depth analysis, and foster understanding while collectively working to build a more perfect Union - both for the U.S. Citizens of Puerto Rico and everyone who still believes in the fundamental American values of democracy, equal rights, and government by consent of the governed.
Listen to Mano a Mano: U.S. & Puerto Rico, Journey Toward A More Perfect Union, The Tara Palmeri Show and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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